Spinning Orbital Toy

ABSTRACT

An orbital spinning toy formed of the central piece, that is formed of two separated parts, a first top piece and a second bottom piece. There is a sleeve between the first top piece and second bottom piece, that rotates. An arm is connected to that rotating sleeve, and has a satellite at its distal end. This forms a toy that allows a user to hold one of the top piece and bottom pieces, and rotate that arm and hence rotate the satellite around the toy.

This application claims priority from provisional No. 63/092,171, filed Oct. 15, 2020, the entire contents of which are herewith incorporated by reference.

BACKGROUND

Certain people find it relieving to fidget with movable items, to keep the mind entertained and focused. This can be especially true for many with anxiety disorder(s), disabilities, or conditions such as autism.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The inventor conceived of a small spinning toy with shaped parts, that can be used in a way as described herein to assist with people occupying their minds, according to their conditions.

Embodiments describe a toy that can be used for entertaining the general public. This toy can be used for entertainment, in one embodiment, by a motion of the hand holding the toy by its center and spinning a satellite around that center.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In the Drawings:

the figures show aspects of the invention, and specifically,

FIG. 1A shows a first embodiment seen from a side on view;

FIG. 1B shows that first embodiment from the perspective view;

FIG. 2A shows a second embodiment, having a differently shaped satellite, from a side-on views;

FIG. 2B shows the second embodiment, from a perspective view, showing more detail about the shape of the satellite;

FIG. 3A shows another embodiment, with a cylindrical shaped satellite, from the side point of view, having a different arm arrangement;

FIG. 3B shows this embodiment from a perspective view;

FIG. 4A shows an embodiment where the satellite is shaped like a planet;

FIG. 4B shows an embodiment where the satellite is shaped like a rocketship;

FIG. 4C shows an embodiment where the satellites is shaped like a disk with a rotating sliver section;

FIG. 5A shows a first shaped central part which is smaller than the top and bottom part;

FIG. 5B shows another embodiment where the central part is larger than the top and bottom part; and

FIG. 5C shows an embodiment where the central part is spherical in shape.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The present application describes a toy formed of a number of pieces held together, that enables orbital movement of one part of the toy relative to the other, that can keep the mind entertained with a very simple toy.

In embodiments, the toy is formed of a central section, referred to herein as a central object. A rotating arm type element attaches at one end to the center of the central object. At the other end, the rotating arm element connects to a satellite object. The satellite object can rotate on the rotating arm element relative to the central object. The central section has surfaces to allow holding the central section in a way that allows the arm to rotate relative to the central section.

FIGS. 1A and 1B show the first embodiment of the invention. The toy 100 has central pieces, including a first piece 112 and a second piece 114. An axle 110, connects between the first piece and the second piece. A sleeve 120 fits around the axle, and rotates around the axle hence rotating relative to the central pieces. The sleeve 120 is connected by an elongated arm 122 to a satellite object 124. The satellite object 124 can be spun on the sleeve relative to the axle to follow an orbital path around the central object, in an analogous way to the way that a satellite spins around another orbital body.

There can be friction reducing elements, such as ball bearings or other known friction reducing elements connected between the sleeve and the axle, to allow the sleeve to spin freely around the axle.

In operation, a user holds one of the pieces, e.g, the first piece 112, between two opposed fingers or cupped in their hand, in a way that does not have the hand blocking the arm. At least one of the first top piece and second bottom piece have surfaces allowing grasping the piece in a way that does not interfere with the arm spinning relative to the first and second piece; for example, the first piece 112 can have a bottom surface 113 and edge surfaces 115 that allow holding the first piece in a way that does not interfere with the rotation of the arm 122. The user spins the satellite 124 on the arm, and relative to the fingers of a user, who is holding the piece. The first piece 112/second piece 114, hence become the central object, around which the satellite 124 spins.

Both the central object and the satellite can either be themed, or can be of a simple geometric shape.

FIG. 1A/1B shows the geometric shape of the satellite being a sphere 124, so that the sphere, like a planet's satellite, rotates around the central object.

FIG. 2A/2B shows the geometric shape 200 of the satellite being a section of a circle, like a half moon, or partial moon shape. In this way, the half moon shape or partial moon shape rotates around the central shaft. In the embodiment, the geometric shape 200 is a shape where the outer edge is a first section of a circle, and the inner edge is a second section of a circle either the same diameter or a different diameter than the first section of the circle.

In the embodiment of FIG. 3A/3B, the arm is formed of multiple different parallel elongated rods 300, 302, 305. Each of the different rods attaches around the central axis. The satellite 350 is shaped as a section of a sphere that rotates around the central part.

In addition, the pieces can be themed by forming any of the pieces into other shapes.

In different embodiments, the central part and the external part can have different shapes, to support the different themes. For example, FIG. 4A illustrates the central part being the earth 400 and the external part 405 being a shape representing the moon. In this embodiment, the surfaces that the user can hold include the outer surface of the sphere representing the earth, with the user holding those outer surfaces in a way that facilitates the arm rotating around the earth without touching the user's hands or fingers.

FIG. 4B illustrates the external part being a rocket 410.

FIG. 4C shows the external shape being a half moon.

In the embodiments, the sleeve can be a low friction sleeve. One embodiment of the low friction sleeve can include ball bearings between the sleeve and the axle, to make the arm easier to rotate. By reducing the friction in this way, the satellite can be caused to rotate freely for a long period of time.

The sleeve can also include built-in frictional parts to make it more difficult to turn. The sleeve can include noise-making materials or indents or the like so that the item makes periodic clicking noises as it turns.

In operation, an orbital is formed, where the distal part 124 is a geometric or themed object at the end of an extended arm, to provide, when operating, a visual of the object spinning a distance around a center part being held by the user. The center part can be geometric, or can be a matching theme.

The central sleeve can also be of different sizes relative to the top and bottom part. FIG. 5A shows the central sleeve 500 as being smaller than the top and bottom pieces 502, 504. The arm 506 attaches to the central sleeve. FIG. 5B illustrates the central sleeve 510 having a larger diameter than the top pieces 502, 504. FIG. 5C illustrates the central piece 520 having a cylindrical shape, such that the central piece looks cylindrical in cross-section.

The previous description of the disclosed exemplary embodiments is provided to enable any person skilled in the art to make or use the present invention. Various modifications to these exemplary embodiments will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art, and the generic principles defined herein may be applied to other embodiments without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention. Thus, the present invention is not intended to be limited to the embodiments shown herein but is to be accorded the widest scope consistent with the principles and novel features disclosed herein. 

What is claimed is:
 1. An orbital spinning toy, comprising: a central object, formed of a first piece, and a second piece having an axle, attached between the first piece and the second piece; a sleeve, fitting over the axle, and rotatable relative to the axle; an arm, connected at a first end to the sleeve, the arm spinning as the sleeve spins; at least one of the first piece and second piece having surfaces allowing a user to grasp the piece in a way that does not interfere with the arm spinning relative to the first and second piece; and a satellite piece, connected to a second end of the arm opposite from the first end, to spin as the arm spins relative to the central object.
 2. The toy as in claim 1, wherein the central part is themed as a shape.
 3. The toy as in claim 2, wherein the central part is in the shape and appearance of a central planet.
 4. The toy as in claim 3, wherein the satellite piece is in the shape of another planet, and operates to rotate around the central planet.
 5. The toy as in claim 3, wherein the satellite pieces in the shape of a rocketship, and operates to rotate around the central planet.
 6. The toy as in claim 3, wherein the central planet is painted to look like the earth.
 7. The toy as in claim 1, wherein the arm comprises a single piece arm connected to the central part.
 8. The toy as in claim 1, wherein the arm comprises multiple different parallel pieces, all connected to the central part, and all rotating relative to the central part. 